What options are available for getting to and from the airport?
12 April 2024
Taxi or Uber are the easiest modes of transport from the airport to the hotel (approx. cost $25-$30).
75 photos
CAIRNS HARBOURSIDE HOTEL, Cairns
75US$
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Key details
Hotel Overview and Details
209-217 Esplanade,
Cairns,
Australia,
4870,
Queensland
- Close to the Cairns Aquarium
Great
8.2
8.8
4.0
4.0
Loved by Cairns Harbourside Hotel guests
"It was right on the Esplanade, which is a main tourist and local place to be where all the action see and runs along the edge of the ocean."
"We had the largest room which had a lovely double height ceiling, lots of space and a corner wrap around balcony with deck chairs."
"Great location on the Esplanade with stunning views of the sea and mountain ranges."
Accommodations
Cairns Harbourside Hotel offers 173 spacious rooms with private balconies overlooking Trinity Bay, tropical gardens, or hinterland mountains. Room options include standard king rooms, premium sea view rooms, and one-bedroom suites, accommodating both families and business travelers. The hotel provides additional tailored amenities, such as interconnecting rooms catering to families and groups.
Dining Options
The on-site Harbourside Bar & Kitchen provides meals made from local produce, featuring an extensive menu and outdoor dining options. Guests can enjoy a buffet breakfast daily, complemented by a diverse selection of
Wellness Facilities
The hotel features a sapphire blue outdoor swimming pool, equipped with a relaxing spa and an adjacent garden area for guests to unwind. Guests receive complimentary towels for pool use, and can enjoy a range of refreshing beverages from the poolside bar menu. A complimentary shuttle service operates daily to facilitate transport to key areas in Cairns.
Business & Events
Cairns Harbourside Hotel includes several dedicated function rooms suitable for meetings or events, accommodating groups from seven to 120 guests. The hotel's team assists with catering and audio-visual requirements to ensure successful gatherings. Unique outdoor spaces enhance event experiences with beautiful views over Trinity Bay.
Family Amenities
Kids aged 12 and under stay and eat free when sharing a room with parents, allowing for an affordable family getaway. The hotel's lush gardens include a
Highlights
Location: Overlooking Trinity Bay
Dining: Harbourside Bar & Kitchen
Wellness: Sapphire blue outdoor swimming pool
Accommodations: Family-friendly rooms
Business: Function rooms for up to 120 guests
Must-do experiences
- Take a scenic cruise on the Trinity Inlet at sunset.
- Visit the Cairns Night Markets for artisan gifts and local cuisine.
- Explore the lush Cairns Botanic Gardens and its tropical flora.
- Try a fresh 'barramundi' fish taco at the local food trucks.
- Don't miss the interactive exhibits at the Cairns Aquarium.
View all
Choose Your Room Category
The hotel offers a range of accommodations including doubles, family rooms, and suites—plus breakfast, free cancellation, and special rates.
Standard Double Room Two Double Beds Sea View
2 persons
305 sq. feet
2 Double beds
Shower
Bathtub
room details
Premium King Room Seafront
2 persons
305 sq. feet
1 King-size bed
Shower
Bathtub
room details
Premium Double Room Two Double Beds Seafront
2 persons
325 sq. feet
2 Double beds
Shower
Bathtub
room details
Standard King Room
2 persons
295 sq. feet
1 King-size bed
Shower
Bathtub
room details
Show all roomsLess
Room Availability and Pricing Calendar
Find available rooms and check today's best prices!
Facilities
This hotel provides premium amenities for a memorable and relaxed stay
General
- No smoking on site
- Wi-Fi
- Parking
- Safe deposit box
- 24-hour reception
- No pets allowed
- Rooms/ Facilities for disabled
- Wheelchair access
- 24-hour security
- Luggage storage
- Lift
- Coffee shop
- Vending machines
- Smoke detectors
- Fire extinguishers
- Key card access
- Key access
Sports & Fitness
- Fitness centre
- Wind surfing
- Diving
- Snorkelling
- Canoeing
- Hiking
- Horseback riding
- Cycling
- Tennis court
- Bowling
- Archery
- Aerobics
- Fishing
Guest Parking
- Electric kettle
- Cookware/ Kitchen utensils
Services
- Free shuttle service
- Room service
- Housekeeping
- Car hire
- Laundry
- Dry cleaning
- Tours/Ticket assistance
- Grocery shopping service
- Welcome drink
- Happy hour
Dining
- In-room breakfast
- Restaurant
- Poolside snack bar
- Packed lunches
- Special diet menus
Business
- Business centre
- Meeting/ Banquet facilities
- Fax/Photocopying
Children
- Cots
- Board games
- Children's menu
Facilities for people with disabilities
- Toilet for disabled
- Bathroom for disabled
Spa & Leisure
- Outdoor swimming pool
- Beach umbrellas
- Sun loungers
- Live entertainment
- Sun terrace
- Garden area
- Pool with view
- Shallow end
Room features
- Air conditioning
- Sitting area
- Terrace
- Garden furniture
- Tea and coffee facilities
- Dining table
- Ironing facilities
Bathroom
- Free toiletries
Self-catering
- Electric kettle
- Cookware/ Kitchen utensils
Media
- Flat-screen TV
- AM/FM alarm clock
Room decor
- Carpeted floor
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Dining Onsite
At Cairns Harbourside Hotel, dining options blend modern Australian flavors with a commitment to local produce. The inviting atmosphere at Harbourside Bar and Kitchen invites families and couples alike to enjoy fresh and tantalizing meals in a relaxed setting, making every meal a celebration of Queensland's culinary treasures.
Hotel Location
209-217 Esplanade,
Cairns,
Australia,
4870,
Queensland
Map view
209-217 Esplanade,
Cairns,
Australia,
4870,
Queensland
City landmarks
Garden
Cairns Botanic Gardens
1.3
mi
Landmark
Cairns Night Markets
1.1
mi
Landmark
Green Island
1.3
mi
Market
Rusty's Markets
1.3
mi
Park
Muddy's Playground
3900 ft
Aquarium
Cairns Aquarium
4400 ft
Gallery
The Center of Contemporary Arts
4800 ft
Church
St Monica's Cathedral
3800 ft
Gallery
Cairns Regional Gallery
1.2
mi
Museum
The Cairns Museum
1.1
mi
Park
Munro Martin Parklands
4200 ft
Library
Cairns City Library
5200 ft
Zoo
Cairns ZOOM and Wildlife Dome
1.3
mi
Landmark
The Cairns Civic Theater
5100 ft
Landmark
Cairns Tropical Zoo
4200 ft
Landmark
Michaelmas Cay
1.1
mi
Landmark
Tanks Arts Centre
1.5
mi
Landmark
RAAF Memorial
2200 ft
Gallery
Michael Seebeck Gallery
1.0
mi
Landmark
Cairns Cenotaph
1.2
mi
Gallery
Samurai Gallery Australia
1.1
mi
Gallery
KickArts Contemporary Arts
1.1
mi
Landmark
Ocean World Seafood Market
3900 ft
Landmark
The Dancers
3500 ft
Landmark
Cairns Showgrounds
1.5
mi
Landmark
Commemorative plaque of US army volunteers
4900 ft
Nearby
Cairns Esplanade Charles Street Parkland
1100 ft
6 Grove St
Cock 'n' Bull
1400 ft
228 Sheridan St
Crackerbox Palace
1600 ft
Obelisk in memory of the Munro and Martin family
1700 ft
Restaurants
Harbourside Bar & Kitchen
1100 ft
209-217 Esplanade
Cock & Bull
1400 ft
6 Grove St
Pedro's Pizza
2300 ft
223 Sheridan St
Sushi Train
2100 ft
221 Sheridan St
Tandoori Nights
1900 ft
209 Sheridan St
Tim Hei Hong Kong Cuisine
2100 ft
217 Sheridan St Unit 2
Palms Restaurant
2500 ft
295 Sheridan St Cairns Sheridan Hotel
Dunwoody's Tavern & Liquor Barn
2800 ft
317 Sheridan St
Coral Hedge Brassiere Restaurant and Bar
2600 ft
209-217 Abbott Street
Explore Cairns
Local Experiences
Cairns Botanic Gardens
25 minutes' walk
A tropical paradise featuring diverse plant species, walking trails, and a café. Ideal for nature enthusiasts and families.
Cairns Night Markets
20 minutes' walk
A vibrant market offering local crafts, souvenirs, street food, and dining options. A perfect evening experience.
Cairns Aquarium
17 minutes' walk
An engaging aquarium showcasing the Great Barrier Reef's marine life. Interactive exhibits make it a family favorite.
Muddy's Playground
14 minutes' walk
Family-friendly park with water play areas, playgrounds, and picnic facilities. Great for relaxation and family bonding.
Harbourside Bar & Kitchen
4 minutes' walk
Casual dining with a focus on local seafood and fresh produce. Enjoy waterfront views and signature dishes.
Pedro's Pizza
9 minutes' walk
A laid-back pizzeria famous for its gourmet pizzas and relaxed atmosphere. Ideal for families and casual dining.
Navigating city
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Property information and rules
Check-in
from 15:00-23:59
Check-out
until 11 am
Guest Parking
Private parking is possible on site for free.
Internet
Wireless internet is available in the entire hotel for free.
Breakfast
A full breakfast is served at the price of AUD 30 per person per day.
Children & extra beds
There are no extra beds provided in a room.
There are no cots provided in a room.
Pets
Pets are not allowed.
Languages
English, German, Czech, Japanese, Chinese, Bahasa Indonesian, Javanese, Slovak
Number of floors:
7
Number of rooms:
141
Former name
Mercure Cairns Harbourside
Guest Reviews and Hotel Ratings
Honest Guest Feedback Based on Real Stays
Show moreShow less
Pros
Comfortable bed
Good breakfast
Helpful staff
Spacious room
Cons
Unsafe entry
Broken air conditioning
Guest reviewsbased on 1597 reviews
Elizabeth from United Kingdom
Single
Standard King Room
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed:February 16, 2026
8.5/10
Convenient Location, Simple Amenities
convenient locationtour pickupoutdoor deck
I found the location very convenient just off the Esplanade. Several tour operators picked us up right at the hotel. The deck outside proved to be a nice space for an evening drink after excursions. I enjoyed having that option at the end of the day.
The furniture looked a bit old and in need of updates.
Facilities
8/10
The hotel provides a pool and a jacuzzi , and i noticed that they were well-kept. A gym is also available, with several cardio machines and weight equipment. The pool area includes ample seating.
Location
9/10
The hotel sits near the waterfront, and i saw many people walking along the promenade. It is a short taxi ride to the city center. Access to the airport is easy from this spot.
Dining
8/10
I found breakfast to be plentiful with multiple options. However the coffee machine broke one day. The in-house restaurant mostly serves pub-style food like burgers. The outside deck is nice.
Service
9/10
The staff at the front desk was helpful and professional. I was able to leave my luggage at reception after checkout. The staff seemed friendly, and i felt welcome .
0 Helpful
|
Grant from Australia
Single
Standard King Room
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed:February 02, 2026
6/10
free parkingdated roomlimited shuttle
the staff was nice. free parking existed.
the room was dated. I noticed the air conditioner struggled to cool the room quickly. furthermore, the shuttle bus service operated with only a few runs per day, severely limiting its utility.
0 Helpful
June from United Kingdom
Single
standard king room
3 nights in November 2025
|
Reviewed:January 04, 2026
7/10
satisfactory stay
comfortable beddaily cleaninglight issuedangerous replacement
the room was clean and the bed was comfortable. daily cleaning was done well, maintaining the room nicely.
I found one light not working, a maintenance issue. staff indicated that replacing it was too dangerous. This was inconvenient.
0 Helpful
Wally from Australia
Single
Standard King Room
4 nights in October 2025
|
Reviewed:November 08, 2025
6/10
Acceptable Stay with Issues
professional staffhair in glassesfaulty fridge
The staff are professional, polite and friendly.
I found hair in the glasses. The bar fridge was not working properly and contained out of date hot milk. The air conditioning took seven hours to finally cool the room down.
0 Helpful
Benjamin from United States
Single
Standard King Room
3 nights in June 2025
|
Reviewed:September 05, 2025
9/10
effective air conditioningrestaurant staffamazing beds
the room had very effective air conditioning. the staff really went the extra mile.. from check-in to the restaurant. the beds were amazing!
the pool is not heated.
0 Helpful
Questions of the users
About Cairns Harbourside Hotel
Is there a shuttle service connecting the hotel to the domestic airport?
15 July 2024
Unfortunately, there is no shuttle service. Taxi and Uber are the cheapest options to travel to and from the airport. Private transfers can also be arranged at airport kiosks in the baggage claim area.
Are there shuttle services that bring guests back from Cairns central in the evenings?
20 August 2024
Shuttles operate from the hotel to the Cairns Night Markets & back at set times: 08:30 & 09:30 am, and 16:00 & 16:30 pm. Advance booking is required.
Can you provide more information about what's included in the breakfast package?
05 November 2024
The breakfast included is a full buffet served in the hotel restaurant.
Are there any rooms available with spa baths for a special occasion?
19 October 2024
There are no rooms with spa baths; all rooms come with regular baths. However, the hotel features an outdoor pool and a jacuzzi tub.
What is the latest possible check-out time for guests?
22 March 2024
Check-out time is at 11:00 am, but late check-out may be arranged upon request.
Do standard rooms include kitchen facilities?
09 May 2024
Standard double rooms do not have kitchenettes; however, only the 1-bedroom suites feature a kitchenette with a microwave. All other rooms come with tea and coffee-making facilities and a small bar fridge.
Is there an option for kid-friendly amenities during my stay?
16 June 2024
Kids aged 12 and under stay and eat for free when sharing a room with their parents. There are also plenty of family-friendly dining options available.
How far is the hotel from the local shopping center?
13 September 2024
The hotel is approximately 1.5 km to 2 km from the main shopping center, making it a short and convenient distance.
Are pool towels available for guests at the hotel?
01 December 2024
Yes, pool towels are available for loan during your stay.Next best alternative
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